Top 10 Budget Laptops Under $500 – Best Buying Guide
Are you looking for an inexpensive and high-performance laptop? This selection highlights budget laptops under $500, with a good stable, and balanced configuration. Mostly mid-range and low-budget laptops are popular. Not everyone needs a powerful machine intended for editing video or 3D resource-intensive games.
A Bugdet laptop is a computer priced between $200 and $500. It is generally equipped with a 13″ to 15″ screen. On the component side, you can find either:
- Intel or AMD processors (with no clear preference on our part at this price),
storage ideally on SSD (long-lasting, responsive, silent, less prone to heating than the classic HDD; ideally aim for 256 GB of space), - a screen panel often with TN technology even if we prefer IPS for its better viewing angles. For their better quality on average; there are good TN screens, but also very bad TN screens – IPS are generally “good” to “very good”,
- graphics cards (Intel, AMD, or Nvidia) and batteries suitable for everyday use, but not the most advanced.
- Finally, make sure you have at least 8 GB of memory, and RAM, on the machine chosen, even if it means adding a little extra at the last minute. This will significantly reduce the risk of the machine blocking. It allows you to manage more tabs open in browsers. It gives more space to the heaviest software.
This buying guide offers you the best laptop PCs tested in our laboratory and sold commercially for less than $500.
List of budget laptops under $500
- Lenonovo ideapad 3i 15.6”
- HP Pavilion aero 13z
- Dell Inspiron 15
- Acer – Chromebook 315 – 15.6″
- Lenovo Ideapad gaming chrome book 16”
- HP laptop 15 hd0047
- Vaio fe series notebook rose gold fe 14″
- HP Probook 445 G9 Certified Refurbished PC
- Lenovo Ideapad 5i
- Asus vivo book 14”
Also check our curated list of Gaming Laptops Under $1000
Lenonovo ideapad 3i 15.6” – Price: $399
IdeaPad 3i Gen 7 (15.6″ Intel) is powered by the latest 12th Gen Intel Core i3 processor, which features a P-Core up to 4.40 GHz, and an E-Core up to 3.30 GHz. It comes preloaded with Windows 11 Home 64-bit operating system, which provides a seamless and user-friendly interface. The Intel Iris Xe graphics card ensures smooth and fast performance for various tasks, including multimedia content creation, gaming, and more.
The Total memory of 8GB DDR4-3200MHz provides ample memory for multitasking and running demanding applications. The hard drive is currently none, but it can be upgraded with either a solid-state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD) depending on the user’s requirements. The display is a 15.6″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) with anti-glare, non-touch, 45% NTSC, 250 nits, and 60Hz, which makes it suitable for various uses such as watching movies, playing games, and working.
The webcam is a 720p HD with dual microphone, which provides high-quality video and audio for online meetings, live streams, and vlogging. The fingerprint reader is not present on this laptop. The connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6 2×2 AX, which ensures a fast and stable internet connection, and Bluetooth 5.1 for pairing peripherals, including headphones and speakers. The battery is a 2 2-li-Polymer cell 38 Wh, which provides a decent battery life, depending on the usage pattern.
Hp Pavilion Aero 13z – Price: $499
The HP Pavilion Aero 13z is a compact and powerful laptop that features a vibrant 13.3″ display, Windows 11 Home operating system, and the AMD Ryzen 5 7535U processor. This processor is an excellent choice for multitasking and running demanding applications, thanks to its 6 cores and 12 threads, which can be boosted up to 4.55 GHz for added performance. Its integrated AMD Radeon Graphics is powerful enough to handle light to medium gaming and multimedia content creation.
The 8 GB of onboard memory provides ample firepower for handling multiple tasks simultaneously, making the HP Pavilion Aero 13z a great option for students, professionals, and anyone looking for a powerful and compact laptop. The 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD storage allows for fast data transfer speeds and ample storage space for storing various files, including high-quality photos and videos.
The HP Pavilion Aero 13z is an excellent choice for anyone needing a high-performance laptop that is also portable and easy to use on the go. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply a power user, this laptop is capable of handling a variety of tasks and is sure to exceed your performance expectations.
Dell Inspiron 15 – Pirce: $329
The Dell Inspiron 15 boasts impressive specifications, starting with a powerful 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-1215U processor, which features a total of 10 MB cache, 6 cores, and 8 threads. With a maximum Turbo boost of up to 4.40 GHz, this CPU provides incredible performance for handling various tasks such as media editing, gaming, and more.
The integrated GPU, the Intel® UHD Graphics, ensures smooth display performance for daily productivity work. The 8 GB of RAM offers ample memory for multitasking, while the 256 GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD provides fast storage space for quick loading of applications and files.
With such impressive specifications, the Dell Inspiron 15 is an ideal choice for power users and professionals looking for a reliable laptop that can handle demanding tasks. It’s worth noting that the 120Hz display with a narrow border and LED backlit provides a superior viewing experience, making it great for multimedia consumption.
The Carbon Black exterior, made of plastic, gives the laptop a sleek and elegant appearance that fits in with any workspace. Overall, the Dell Inspiron 15 is a highly versatile laptop that delivers excellent performance and reliability, making it a great all-around choice for most users.
Acer Chromebook 315 – Price: $299
If you’re looking for an affordable Chromebook, the Acer Chromebook 315 is a perfect choice. With a 15.6″ display, it offers plenty of screen estate for multitasking, streaming movies, and more. Its Pure Silver or Silver finishes give it an attractive yet professional look, making it suitable for classroom settings or office environments.
Under the hood, the Chromebook 315 has a modest 4GB of RAM, which is enough for light to moderate tasks, like web browsing, word processing, and document editing. The 64GB of solid-state drive storage provides plenty of space to save files, applications, and media. Its Intel UHD Graphics and UHD Graphics 600 graphics processors ensure a smooth and fluid multimedia experience, while the Wireless-AC 9560 supports reliable internet connectivity.
As a Chromebook, the Acer Chromebook 315 runs on Chrome OS, which is a simplified operating system that doesn’t need antivirus software. It’s easy to use, fast, and secure, making it a great choice for students, seniors, and anyone who wants a computer that’s easy to understand and use.
Ultimately, the Acer Chromebook 315 is a top choice for anyone looking for an affordable, easy-to-use, and efficient laptop. With its stylish looks, decent specifications, and user-friendly Chrome OS, it’s capable of handling a variety of daily tasks and providing a positive user experience.
Lenovo Ideapad gaming Chromebook 16″ – Price: $429
The Lenovo Ideapad gaming Chromebook 16″ is a top-of-the-line device designed to bring immersive gaming experiences to Chrome OS. It features powerful Intel® Core™ processors and Iris® Xe graphics for stunning graphics performance. The 4-zone RGB gaming keyboard allows for intuitive control over movement and skills, while the 16″ WQXGA screen with a high refresh rate ensures smooth and seamless gameplay.
The Chromebook 16″ is equipped with high-speed WiFi 6E for fast and reliable online gaming and streaming. It is also equipped with an expansive library of AAA titles that you can enjoy through cloud gaming services like NVIDIA® GeForce NOW & Amazon Luna+. Additionally, you can get 3 free months of these services with your purchase, allowing you to play games without having to download or install them.
The Lenovo Ideapad gaming Chromebook 16″ is a top choice for gamers who want to experience fast, reliable, and fun gaming on the go. Its powerful hardware, stunning visuals, and seamless connectivity make it a great option for anyone who wants to take their gaming to the next level.
HP Laptop 15 HD0047 – Price: $499
The HP Laptop 15 HD0047 is a powerful laptop that provides a smooth computing experience and is available at an affordable price, making it a great choice for students, professionals, or anyone looking for a reliable and budget-friendly laptop. It has an AMD Athlon™ Gold processor, which is capable of handling daily tasks such as web browsing, multitasking, and light gaming. The built-in AMD Radeon™ Graphics allows for smooth multimedia playback, making it a great laptop for enjoying movies and TV shows.
It has a generous 256 GB SSD and 8 GB of RAM, which can handle most daily tasks and provides plenty of storage space for your files, documents, and applications. The laptop’s 15.6″ HD display provides a clear and vibrant viewing experience, and is perfect for streaming movies, browsing the web, and working on documents. In addition to its great performance, the HP Laptop 15 HD0047 comes at an affordable price of budget laptop under $500, which makes it an excellent value for anyone looking for an affordable yet powerful laptop.
This is a great option for anyone who wants a budget-friendly laptop that can handle daily tasks and provide a good all-around experience.
VAIO FE14 VWNC51427 – $449
The VAIO FE14 VWNC51427 is a reliable and affordable laptop that’s powered by Windows 11 Home. Its Intel Core i5-1235U processor is capable of handling multitasking and demanding workloads. It also features a large 512GB SSD, ensuring plenty of space to store your files, photos, and videos.
Hence, its stunning 14.1″ FHD IPS display offers clear, high-quality visuals, making it perfect for streaming movies, browsing the web, and working on documents. Additionally, its THX® Spatial Audio ensures an immersive and realistic sound experience, which is perfect for watching movies and listening to music.
For extra security, the laptop features a fingerprint scanner, and with a Full HD camera, you’ll be able to participate in high-quality video conferences and calls. So, this budget laptop under 500 USD is a great option for those who need a reliable and powerful laptop for daily tasks, such as web browsing, multi-tasking, light gaming, and media consumption.
HP Probook 445 G9 Certified Refurbished PC – Price: $499
The HP Probook 445 G9 Certified Refurbished PC is a robust and powerful laptop that offers a lot of value under a $500 budget. It comes with Windows 11 Pro, providing a secure and reliable operating system. The AMD Ryzen™ 7 5825U CPU provides superb performance, with up to 4.5 GHz max boost clock and 8 cores, providing fast and efficient multitasking capabilities. The built-in 16 GB memory ensures a smooth and seamless computing experience, while the 256 GB SSD provides enough storage space for all your important files.
The HP Probook 445 G9 features a crisp and vibrant 14″ diagonal FHD touch display, providing clear and sharp visuals. For gamers, it comes with AMD Radeon™ Graphics, ensuring a smooth and immersive gaming experience. It also boasts a Full HD camera for clear and sharp video calls. Don’t let the budget price fool you – this laptop can handle any task you throw at it, making it an excellent choice for any user looking for a reliable and affordable laptop.
Lenovo Ideapad 5i – Price: $499
If you’re looking for a powerful and affordable laptop, the Lenovo Ideapad 5i is the perfect choice for you. Equipped with powerful features like an 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1165G7 Processor and up to 16 GB of RAM, you can perform all your daily tasks with ease. The 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS, anti-glare, touchscreen display provides a clear and vibrant viewing experience, perfect for browsing the web, streaming films, and even some light gaming.
With Windows 10 Home, you can be sure that all your important documents and files are protected. The webcam privacy shutter and fingerprint reader offer added security, while the Dolby Audio™ speakers ensure that your audio sounds crisp and clear. The USB-C port and Quick Charging feature ensure that your battery is always ready for action, regardless of how busy your day is.
Now, Don’t let the budget price of this Lenovo laptop fool you – it has all the power and features you need to stay productive and entertained on the go.
ASUS Vivobook 14 – Price: $429
The ASUS Vivobook 14 is a perfect laptop for daily tasks and productivity on the go under a $500 budget. It comes equipped with a Windows 10 Pro operating system, providing a secure and reliable computing platform. The laptop is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor, ensuring smooth and fast performance for all your daily tasks.
With 16 GB of DDR4 RAM, the ASUS Vivobook 14 can handle even the most memory-intensive applications with ease. The NVIDIA MX250 graphics card provides a strong visual performance for gaming, streaming, and other graphics-intensive applications. It supports Wi-Fi 5 dual-band 802.11ac for reliable and fast wireless connectivity.
In addition, the ASUS Vivobook 14 includes a 14-inch Full HD IPS-level display for high-quality visuals. The display features narrow bezels, which add to the sleek and modern design of the laptop. With USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI ports, you can connect multiple devices and peripherals to the laptop with ease.
This ASUS laptop is a perfect option for students, professionals, and budget-conscious users looking for a budget laptop under $500 with a powerful productivity tool without breaking the bank.
Budget Laptops Under $500 – Best For Everyone
Budget laptops under $500 are perfect for those who don’t need the latest. And greatest tech but still want a reliable and affordable laptop. There are so many budget laptop options on the market. It can be hard to know which one is the best fit for your needs. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the best budget laptops under $500, so you can easily compare features, specs, and prices to find the one that’s right for you.
These are just a few examples of the many budget laptops available under $500. Whether you’re looking for a basic laptop for daily tasks, a productivity powerhouse, or a gaming laptop. There’s a budget laptop out there that will fit your needs. And with so many options available under $500, there’s no reason you can’t find a laptop that’s perfect for you.
